The “Unite or Die” illustration used for The 9.12 Project and Richmond Patriots is inspired by Ben Franklin’s “Join or Die” drawing. It was the first political cartoon to be published in an American newspaper (The Philadelphia Gazette, May 9, 1754).

In the editorial accompanying the “Join or Die“ sketch, Franklin wrote, “The confidence of the French in this undertaking seems well grounded on the present disunited state of the British colonies.” Back then, the colonies had very little interest in forming an union. The French were determined to displace the colonies and seize American territory. Ben Franklin urged the thirteen colonies to unite so they could defend against the French who were under “one direction.” One month after his cartoon was printed, Franklin proposed a Plan of Union. The plan was rejected but the seed was planted, a revolution on the horizon.

In the original “Join or Die” illustration, the snake is divided into 8 sections representing the colonies; New England represents 4 of the 13, Delaware and Georgia are not included. The chopped up snake is symbolic of the disunity between the colonies.

The 912 Project's “Unite or Die” snake is divided into 10 sections. The body, made up of nine sections, represents 9 distinct principles. The rattle, just one section, represents 12 values.

Franklin’s illustration expressed the urgency of the colonies’ need to unite. It was based on old superstition that a snake, cut into pieces, would come back to life if the pieces were put back together again before sunset. This superstition is an incredible metaphor, describing beautifully what can (and will!) happen when we unite under our common principles. Let’s get together and bring the real America back to life.

So is there more to the 9.12 than principles and values? You bet! Being a 9.12'er is all about being the Americans we were on 9/12/01, the day after our country was attacked by terrorists. We use the 9 Principles and 12 Values to guide our lives to be better Americans for ourselves, our families and our country.